The Detroit Lions shook up their backfield this offseason, trading away David Montgomery to the Houston Texans and adding Isiah Pacheco in free agency. On paper, many are not sure how that will change things for the better.
Montgomery embraced Detroit during his time in a big way, and was a successful running mate for Jahmyr Gibbs. Just because he is gone doesn't mean that things will fall apart for the Lions, though. The chance exists for the team to be even better even in the absence of one of their best players in recent memory.
The Lions plan to make Gibbs their feature back this year, and that means he's not going to take a back seat to anyone, much less Pacheco. That's alright with the veteran running back, because he understands that it takes a village to cultivate a winning team and he plans on doing whatever he needs to help.
"(You) just (have to) be ready at all times. This game, it takes a lot of us to win and (it's) not just one person, (it's) everybody on the team, the staff, the coaches, nutritionists. Everybody plays a part and I'm pretty sure we got that culture here to get things cooking."
Pacheco will be used, of course, and will have to be ready to step up and play a role effectively whenever he is called upon. While some might struggle with that fact, Pacheco knows how to be ready mentally and physically to make an impact whenever he sees the field.
"You adjust during times now and during camp, during those moments where you get mental reps where you're not in the game. so when you're in the game, you get the play that you may not have had in camp, then you get it, you got to execute at a high level because if not, they know you're not paying attention, you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing. Most importantly, no matter who's in, if someone's in, you got to watch them, get that mental rep so when you're up and then ready to go, you got to compete at a high level."
No matter what the carries look like, Pacheco sounds like he is the ideal running mate for Gibbs. He's going to do whatever he needs to do to provide the perfect balance in the locker room and whenever he sees the field.
Pacheco reveals how he plans to be a leader within Lions' locker room
Perhaps one of the biggest roles Pacheco will have in 2026 will be that of a veteran leader in the locker room. While in Kansas City, Pacheco was around as the Chiefs won a pair of Super Bowls. Even though he has won before, Pacheco has said he remains hungry to get over the mountain top once again.
As Pacheco explained, he has the mindset of a leader, and wants to keep connecting with his new teammates in the locker room in order to create the chemistry that is needed to have a successful culture.
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"I've been a leader since (coming in) the league. Just having that mentality, being unsatisfied, willing to get better, learning every day daily. Most importantly, building that relationship with the guys in the room so we can figure out each other's game. (Another player) might have seen something different than I on the sideline versus the other backs. (Then we can) compete, play off each other's game and build."
Pacheco has seen how things work in a championship locker room, and knows the proper balance that needs to be struck between teammates. No matter what his stats look like, count on him providing the perfect level of support for Gibbs in more ways than one.
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